Political notebook: Baptists support abortion amendment

Chip Saltsman

The Tennessee Baptist Convention has renewed its support for a state constitutional amendment on abortion, the latest in a string of signs that abortion foes are ramping up for a 2014 vote.

The TBC, which met in Chattanooga last week, voted to "work vigorously toward the passage of pro-life Amendment 1," a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot in November 2014. The amendment would add language to the Tennessee constitution stating that it does not protect abortion rights, effectively overturning a 2000 Tennessee Supreme Court ruling that the state constitution offers greater protection for abortion than the U.S. Constitution.

The position by the TBC should not surprise anyone, but it demonstrates that supporters of the amendment are getting organized well in advance of next year's vote. Earlier this month, backers launched their "Yes on 1" campaign with a fundraiser in Nashville headlined by Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey.

- Chas Sisk

Saltsman backs statehouse candidate

Dan Howell, a Republican who announced his candidacy for the state legislature last week, is trying to give his nascent campaign a little oomph with the endorsement of a former state GOP chairman.

Howell said Wednesday that Chip Saltsman, who also managed Mike Huckabee's 2008 presidential campaign and was U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's chief of staff, had given him his blessing. Howell is the executive assistant to Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis and a member of the Tennessee GOP's State Executive Committee.

Howell is seeking the Republican nomination to represent the 22nd House District, which covers Meigs, Polk and a portion of Bradley counties down near Chattanooga. The district is represented by state Rep. Eric Watson, a Republican who is running for sheriff.

Herron calls for new rules

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Roy Herron says the state should implement new conflict-of-interest rules after a recent audit by the state comptroller.

Herron said Friday that state contractors should be barred from profiting from their own advice, a rule already in place at the federal level. The call comes after the comptroller's office criticized the Department of General Services for expanding the scope of a contract with Jones Lang LaSalle from an initial $1 million agreement to review the state's real estate needs to a $7.65 million deal that also made the Chicago firm Tennessee's agent in lease negotiations.

"If you ask a multibillion dollar corporation for advice, don't be surprised when their advice is to pay themselves more," he said.

Herron also noted that Comptroller Justin Wilson is a longtime Republican.

"The comptroller's office for decades has been the authority on right and wrong in government," Herron said. "When he issues a scathing audit of this Republican administration's dealings, you can be sure they have done wrong."

- Chas Sisk

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Political notebook: Baptists support abortion amendment

Political news and notes from around Tennessee: The Tennessee Baptist Convention has renewed its support for a state constitutional amendment on abortion, the latest in a string of signs that